Share This Story!

Lead 'Mass Effect' designer leaves BioWare

Casey Hudson, the video game designer that helmed the successful Mass Effect franchise, will leave development studio BioWare after 16 years. In a statement posted through BioWare's blog Thursday, Hudson said

"Though there's never an easy time to make a change like this, I believe this is the best time for it," said Hudson.

Hudson served as project director for 2003's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic before leading the team that would create the first Mass Effect game, which launched for Xbox 360 in 2007. BioWare produced two additional Mass Effect titles for EA to complete the trilogy.

"Casey's focus on production quality, digital acting technology, and emotionally engaging narrative has made a substantial impact on BioWare and the video game industry as a whole," Aaryn Flynn, BioWare's studio general manager.

Hudson leaves BioWare at a highly active time for the studio, which will launch fantasy role-playing game Dragon Age: Inquisition in November. The studio is working on a new Mass Effect title and a new unannounced title.

BioWare also joins DICE (Battlefield) and Visceral Games (Dead Space) in working on projects based on the lucrative Star Wars franchise. EA struck a deal last year with Disney to develop and publish games using the license.